PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Ischnochiton falcatus Hull, 1912

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Suborder and Family level characters:
Tegmentum always present.
Anterior valve with 6 or more slits.
Insertion plates not pectinate.
Posterior valve without terminal sinus.

Species level characters:
Anterior valve with 25 radiating ridges. Middle valves with 2 ridges on the edges (lateral areas). Posterior valve with saw-toothed edge. Girdle covered with small scales, each scale with about 10 shallow grooves.

Sources:
Macpherson, J. H. and Gabriel, C. J. (1962) Marine Molluscs of Victoria.
Kass, P., Jones, A. M. and Gowlett-Holmes, K. L. (1998) Polyplacophora, in: Mollusca: the southern synthesis, Australian Biological Resources Study.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Polyplacophora
Order:
Neoloricata
Suborder:
Ischnochitonina
Family:
Ischnochitonidae
Subfamily:
Ischnochitoninae
Genus:
Ischnochiton
Subgenus:
Ischnochiton
Species:
falcatus

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Yellow-brown in colour. Up to 2 cm long.

Biology

Like other chitons, this species probably grazes on algae or animals that encrust rocks. Older individuals often have an eroded shell.

Habitat

Under rocks in shallow water, to depth of 44 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Chitons

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 cm

Diet

Herbivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Patullo, B.

Blair Patullo is Online Producer for marine projects at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Patullo, B., 2011, Chiton, Ischnochiton falcatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 27 Jul 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5701

Text: creative commons cc by licence